Bored Displacement

The Technique

Bored Displacement Piling is ideally suited for Brownfield sites with contaminated soils as it produces minimal spoil at ground level during construction. The advantages brought by Bored Displacement Piling systems include improved soil strength, pile capacity and load transfer to the surrounding ground. The technique also offers a reduction in overall foundation costs by reducing pile lengths and diameters and substantially decreasing, or even, removing the cost of pile spoil disposal.

The Process

This method utilises a purpose-built auger head to laterally displace the soil during installation, as opposed to excavation, which occurs during CFA or bored pile construction. As the boring tool penetrates, granular soils are displaced resulting in a localised increased relative density and strength around the pile, depending upon soil conditions. Improved load transfer to the surrounding ground is achieved through an enhanced shaft capacity. Thick concrete threads are created in the construction process which facilitates the load transfer from pile core to soil. Should reinforcement be required, this is installed into the concrete after completion of the pile.

What made you choose a career in construction?As construction works run in my family, I applied for a job with Westpile, formally West’s Piling & Construction as it offered me, at 16, a well-paid and secure job. I started here straight from school and attended a day release at college, studying shorthand and typing.

Throughout your career, what was the most interesting project to work on?Although I have always been office based, site visits have enabled me to see the projects in progress. Some of the most interesting have been the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon and the London Eye. I feel the construction industry is full of potential. It is good to see the return of apprenticeships as it offers young people the opportunity to work through various sectors of the industry before deciding on their chosen paths.

What does a typical day look like?My job involves managing the Camberley office which includes overseeing the admin staff, organising the maintenance of the office and its day to day running as well as looking after the companies rented properties.

When you are away from the office, how do you enjoy your spare time?I spend time with my husband and my two children that thankfully still want to spend time with me! I love to go to the theatre and luckily live near to London, enabling me to enjoy all the top shows. I also enjoy reading and listening to music.

Matt Walpole: General Manager

What made you choose a career in construction?
I have always had a keen interest in buildings and architecture, even from an early age I loved building enormous structures with my Lego and K’NEX sets. I really enjoyed the practical application of maths and physics at school and this lead me into engineering. With my interest in buildings it had to be Civil Engineering! I studied Civil Engineering at the University of Surrey. The university has a great scholarship scheme and this is how I became involved with the Soletanche Bachy Group. I worked my first summer placement for the group back in 2006 and have never looked back since.

Throughout your career, what was the most interesting project to work on?
It’s split between two. The first is a project that I worked on in Kentucky, USA – Wolf Creek Dam. The project was fascinating as there were many different geotechnical solutions being implemented at once, from Diaphragm walls to 90m deep rock drilling with exceptional accuracy. It was also interesting to experience civil engineering in a different culture and continent. My second project is closer to home, the Emirates Air Line across the Thames. Installing large diameter rotary piles from a jack up barge in the Thames, was a new and challenging experience for me and I loved it! Having to devise bespoke solutions with the team for complex problems was the highlight of this project for me.

What does a typical day look like?
Every day for me is so varied, and that’s what I like about it. I could be visiting live projects, talking to clients about feasibility options or catching up with the team here at Westpile HQ.

What advice would you give anyone wanting to get into the construction industry?
Go for it! The construction industry is so broad that you will always find an area that you are really interested in. Be it from the initial feasibility study of a project to the physical delivery on site. Construction is extremely rewarding, you can physically see (as long as it isn’t piling!) the work that you are doing and what seemingly impossible feats are being achieved.

David Parker: Estimating Manager

What made you choose a career in construction?My career choice was a natural progression from the enthusiasm I had for maths and science, two subjects I not only found interesting and challenging, but also those that I excelled in compared to other areas. I opted to study for a degree in engineering at Warwick University, where I found myself being drawn to the civils side of engineering due to variety, scale and scope of projects involved.

How do you bring value to Westpile?
Having been in the industry for nearly 20 years I’ve been fortunate enough to work on a variety of projects, with a range of clients and consultants, as well as some of the most talented people in the piling sector. This experience has helped me to gain a greater understanding of project requirements and highlight where I can help to engineer a cost efficient solution, whilst still delivering a suitable end product.

What does a typical day look like?There is not typical day when it comes to estimating. One day I could be in the office running through projects with the estimating team, the next day I could find myself out on site or with a client, reviewing projects and advising on solutions.

When you are away from the office, how do you enjoy your spare time?
When I’m not running around after my children, I try to keep active through cycling and I take part in
sportive events when time allows.